Mourinho revealed on Thursday that the centre-back's injury is serious and is likely to require surgery, something the Portuguese has now been able to confirm.

Speaking to MUTV ahead of the Red Devils' trip to West Brom on Sunday, Mourinho said: "He goes to surgery, the decision is made.

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"I don't say [he's out] for the rest of the season, but it's for the next two or three months."

Speaking to #MUTV , Jose Mourinho has provided an update on Eric Bailly’s injury: “He goes to surgery, the decision is made. I don’t say [he’s out] for the rest of the season but it’s for the next two or three months.” pic.twitter.com/bsNF33o9So
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 15, 2017

Despite the blow of losing Bailly for such a prolonged period, Mourinho is at least able to rely on a number of other options, with Chris Smalling, Jones, Victor Lindelof, Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo and Axel Tuanzebe all capable of playing at centre-back.